OC, Catholic battle in 5-2A

Opelousas Catholic wide receiver Devin Thierry is one of three seasoned targets that should make life easier for first-year starting QB Zack Mengarelli.(Photo11: Mike Curley/Special to the Advertiser)Buy Photo

The Opelousas Catholic Vikings are 6-1 heading into Friday’s 7 p.m. home District 5-2A showdown with Catholic High of New Iberia at Donald Gardner Stadium.

Guess which one of OC’s seven games has impressed Catholic coach Brent Indest the most during game preparation?

“The Notre Dame game is the film that really impressed me,” Indest said. “It kind of reminded me a lot of our game against Loreauville. Sure, Notre Dame put up a lot of points and a lot of yards, but they were tough yards. It was impressive to see how they competed on the line of scrimmage with Notre Dame.”

This series has been one that Catholic has ruled on the scoreboard, but Indest is wary of the trend.

“We blew them out three years ago (48-14),” Indest said. “When we were really good two years ago, they played us as tough as anyone (42-26). And then last year, they really outplayed us (12-7). They probably should have won the game.”

This year’s match up should include much more action than last year’s stalemate. Both teams have more electric offenses.

“A lot of that has to do with the growth of his quarterback (Diallo Landry),” OC coach Thomas David said. “He’s doing a lot with the football this year. His abilities as an athlete really puts defenses in a bind.”

OC has more of a playmaker at QB as well in Sam Jarrell.

“(Quarterback David) Labbe brought a fullback or linebacker mentality to the position last year,” David said. “Sam is a little more of a playmaker. He’s a very intelligent kid. We were able to put in a lot of the stuff in that we ran at St. Ed’s.”

Among Jarrell’s top weapons is receiver Devin Thierry.

“They have a lot more big-play potential this year,” Indest said. “Seven (Thierry) is a really good receiver. He’s a handful.”

The other area that’s fueled OC’s successful start to the season has been in the trenches.

“It’s a big size mismatch (Catholic OL vs. OC’s DL),” Indest said. “We’ve got to be able to mix it up. Diallo was 6-of-6 passing last week. We were excited to see that. We need to continue to throw it well.”

David said he hopes his Vikings’ offense is prepared if a shootout ensues against Catholic. But his first priority at this point is continuing to shine on the line of scrimmage.

“You’ve got to be able to claim that 18 inches of real estate,” David said.